Facts About Dog Shedding

It's common to see dogs shedding their fur. It is natural process that allows new fur to come. But if your dog is shedding more hair than usual, you need to take note and check with your veterinarian. Dogs shed for a number of reasons that can range from infections, diseases and change in seasons.

  1. Seasonal Shedding

    • Most dogs tend to shed their hair during the fall and spring. Dogs that remain indoors most of the time tend to shed uniformly in all seasons. Dogs with long hair naturally shed more hair than others.

    Cushing's Disease

    • Dogs tend to lose the complete hair on the body except on the legs and the stomach in case of Cushing's disease.

    Hypothyroidism

    • When the dog's body is unable to produce the adequate amount of thyroid, it causes the dog to lose hair and the coat becomes thinner.

    Infections

    • Mites, manges, ringworms and bacterial skin infections can trigger shedding in dogs. Generally, in case of infections, dogs tend to lose hair in patches.

    Nutritional Deficiencies

    • Hair shedding in dogs can also be triggered by nutritional deficiencies and allergies. The tell-tale sign of allergies is constant itching and circular hairless patches.

    Genetics

    • Certain dog breeds are bald or tend to shed hair excessively such as the beagle. This might be because of a dominant gene as in the case of the Chinese crested hairless breed.